What are some common skin conditions and treatment options?
Your skin is your largest organ and performs numerous important tasks. Your skin has extensive surface area, is often exposed to environmental hazards, and is directly affected by hormones and inflammation, which is why skin conditions are so common. Common skin conditions and their corresponding treatments include:
Shingles
This viral infection presents a rash with raised, red spots that can transition into blisters. Symptoms include pain, itching, tingling, and heightened sensitivity. Treatment might include antiviral medications, steroids, and special creams or ointments to soothe the rash.
Psoriasis
Patches of red, scaly skin mark this immune system disorder. Essentially, your body begins producing new skin cells faster than the old ones are shed. Treatment options include medications, light therapy, and topical medications.
Contact dermatitis
This rash occurs following exposure to environmental irritants, including many types of plants. A red, swollen, and itchy rash follows within a couple of days after exposure. There are oral and topical medications that can soothe the rash.
What is a skin growth?
Skin growths are benign tissue that may appear raised or flat on your skin and range in color from skin-colored to red to dark brown or black. Common types of skin growths include:
Removing skin growths is usually not necessary if they do not pose a risk to your health. Warts should be removed since they are contagious and can spread. Upon examining your skin growth, Dr. Jircik determines the best course of action to take, if any.
What is electrocautery?
Electrocautery is a technique that uses electricity to generate heat to remove abnormal tissue. No electrical current enters your body during treatment; the current is simply used to heat a small probe or treatment wire.
This procedure safely and effectively removes common skin lesions. If you have warts, benign tumors, or an exposed nasal blood vessel, electrocautery offers a way to remove or augment those tissues to enhance your health or appearance.
Dr. Jircik may recommend electrocautery as a means of removing skin growths in an area where bleeding is likely. The high heat of the treatment wire or probe seals off nearby blood vessels, reducing the risk of bleeding.
What is the recovery process like for skin procedures?
As he completes your procedure, Dr. Jircik covers the treatment area with a sterile bandage. Precautions are taken during treatment to reduce the risk of infection.
Take care to keep the area clean and change the bandaging as directed. You might be advised to avoid bathing or exposing the treatment area to sun or extreme temperatures for a period of time. Following all aftercare instructions is an important part of making the most of your skin procedure and allowing your body’s natural healing function to do its work.
If you’d like to learn more about how Dr. Jircik can assist you with minor skin procedures, call the office to schedule an appointment or use the online scheduling tool.
